be excited where they cannot but be unavailable; we would rather our countrymen should consider whether the real, although temporary, inconvenience they now feel may not, by care and industry, be converted into as real and permanent benefits; it may, if rightly improved, teach us the arts of supplying our own wants by our own hands. Had it not been for the excessive dearness of foreign linens, probably we should not have the present prospect of relief in that article which the abundant quantities of flaxseed lately sown afford us. Happily, there are few wants which this country cannot of itself supply; if we look about us, every farm can afford some substitute for almost every necessary article that is now imported; these need not be pointed out, being well known.

These are the sentiments which alone can produce a cheerful acquiescence under the present circumstances of our affairs, and a determined spirit of exertion to resist the efforts of tyranny; such sentiments we expect will be inculcated by all men of understanding and influence in their respective neighbourhoods; and such, we make no doubt, from your publick duty, as well as from your patriotism and well-known attachment to the common cause, you will lose no opportunity whatever to exercise.

We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

GEORGE CLYMER, Chairman.

BUCKS COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, Bucks County, May 22, 1776.

Resolved, That the inhabitants of those Townships in this County who have not already elected persons to take up the Arms of Non-Associators, agreeable to a late resolve of the Assembly of this Province, be requested to meet on Saturday, the 8th of June next, and choose three persons for that purpose; and that the members of this Board who inhabit in such Townships will advertise this resolve at some of the most publick places in their Townships, with the hour and place of meeting; and it is recommended that the persons who shall be so chosen, together with those chosen already, join in Districts, to execute the said resolve of Assembly, in the following order, viz: Bristol, Falls, Middletown; Newtown, Lower-Makefield, Upper-Makefield; Milford, Haycock, Richland; Bensalem, Southampton, Northampton; Wrightstown, Buckingham, Solesbury; New-Britain, Rockhill, Hillstown; Warminster, Warwick, Warrington; Plumstead, Bedminster, Tinnicum; Springfield, Nockamixon, Durham.

By order of the Committee:

JOSEPH HART, Chairman.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL PUTNAM.

Amboy, May 22, 1776.

SIR: Your letter of the last night, with the despatches from Canada, came to my hands at Woodbridge this morning. I wish that the information given you by Captain Goforth, respecting the number of prisoners taken, may prove true. What he told you about the enemy’s not having sallied out differs widely from General Thomas’s account of that affair.

You will please to give every assistance which General Schuyler requires that may be in your power; and lest you may not have kept a copy of his letter, I will transcribe that paragraph which contains his demands: “Intrenching tools of every kind will be wanted, more powder, lead, and cannon ball, and guns for the vessels on Lake Champlain; rigging, sailcloth, and sailmakers to be sent up.”

For intrenching tools, rigging, sailcloth, and sailmakers, I would have you apply immediately to the Provincial Congress, who will probably be able to procure them for you; some of the members mentioned to me that they could procure a quantity of tools, of which you will send off as many as you can spare; you must take care not to leave yourself destitute. I sent five tons of lead forward which General Schuyler knew not of; however, I would have you examine what quantity there is in store, and, if you can spare it, send up two tons more. As to the cannon-ball and guns, you will consult with Colonel Knox, who must judge what sort of each is necessary, and send them up with the other articles. I have already spoken to the Commissary-General to send off as much salt provisions as he could, but you must urge him on this head, as they are in very great want and have no other place to depend on but what goes from New-York; he must lay in all he can get to supply the quantity which he sends up, for he must take care to keep up his stock.

It was a misfortune indeed that the vessel with powder and arms should fall into the enemy’s hands. Let the Committee, by all means, have the periaugur to cruise off the back of the Island; the sooner she is out the better, as more vessels with those articles may be daily expected.

I am, with great regard, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Putnam.

P. S. Please to forward the enclosed by the first express, or the post, which goes to Albany. Send two tons of powder, which will serve until we can find a further supply.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Amboy, May 22, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Congress having been pleased to request my attendance at Philadelphia, to advise with them on the situation of our affairs, and of such measures as may be necessary to adopt for this campaign, I had got thus far on my journey when I called to view the ground, and such places on Staten-Island contiguous to it as may be proper for works of defence, when your favour of the 16th instant, with its several enclosures, came to hand.

I am exceedingly concerned for the distress of our troops in Canada; and, as I informed you heretofore, have been very importunate with the Commissary to forward all the provisions in his power; in consequence of which he has sent a great deal on, and I shall repeat my orders, and enjoin him to continue his supplies as largely and expeditiously as possible.

I wrote you on the 17th instant, and am hopeful the twenty-seven and a half casks of nails, which were all that could be got, with the five tons of lead, then sent, will have reached you or got to Albany, from whence they will be forwarded; and in a letter to General Putnam have directed him to examine our stock of the latter, and to furnish you with a further quantity if it can be spared; at Philadelphia I will try to get a supply; I have also directed him to send you two tons more of powder, and such intrenching tools as can possibly be spared, or procured from the Convention in consequence of an application I made two or three days since; we are deficient in these, not having a sufficiency to carry on the works for the defence of New-York with the expedition I wish, or the exigency of the times demands. In respect to cannon-shot and guns for the vessels on the Lake, I have requested him to consult with Colonel Knox, and with the Convention about sailcloth, &c., and if any of them can be spared or procured, that they be immediately sent to you.

Our situation respecting the Indians is delicate and embarrassing; they are attached to Johnson, who is our enemy. Policy and prudence, on the one hand, suggest the necessity of seizing him, and every friend of Government; on the other, if he is apprehended, there will be danger of incurring their resentment. I hope the Committee will conduct the matter in the least exceptionable manner, and in that way that shall most advance the publick good.

I observe by the minutes of the Council of War, General Thomas’s letter, and that of Messrs. Carroll and Chase to Doctor Franklin, that our troops cannot make a stand at Deschambault, as I had hoped; I wish it were practicable, for most certainly the lower down the river we can maintain our post the more important will be the advantages resulting from it, considering all the country below us as lost, and that there may be some prospect of gaining that above, from whence we might draw supplies in some degree, and have the friendship and assistance of the inhabitants. It is certain we should make a stand as low down as we can, so as not to have a retreat cut off in case of necessity, or an opportunity of receiving provisions; but, unacquainted as I am with the country, I cannot undertake to say where it should be. Not doubting and hoping that everything for the best will be done, I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Schuyler.